Fluid transfer system and apparatus



y 8, 1952 w. J. TURENNE ET AL 2,602,628

FLUID TRANSFER SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Filed July 26, 1946 2 SHEETS-SHEET l lnveni ors. Wzgred J Turenne 219 Bar?- WWaZi/er mzwmwwmmmw y 8, 1952 w. J. TURENNE ET AL 2,602,628

FLUID TRANSFER SYSTEM AND APPARATUS 2 SHEETS SHEET 2 Filedfluly 26, 1946 121221221350 2's. Wzflfred JTu venue.

W Walter,

Patented July 8, 1952' .g; 3: z

" FLUID, TRANSFER SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Wilfred J. Turenne, Fayville, and Carl W. Walter, w Holliston, Mass. I

Application, July 26, 1946, Serial No. 686,572

13 Claims (Cl. 251-24) fteriological investigations of'any kind, a in checking milk supplies, testing water supplies, and analogous health fields.

Within the general objects as above indicated,

the'invention more particularly affords improved methods and means whereby'the particular fluid may be introduced into a container and retained in sterile condition, with all or any portion of the containercontent available for investigation or use, without danger of contamination either of the fraction removed or of'that' remaining in the container. More specifically, the invention provides for taking samples of a fluid into a completely closed system without contacting air or any surface which has not been sterilized, and for delivering from such system specimen quantities of the collected fluid as desired, with assurance that the. original, condition has been preserved, as to bacteriological and othericontent, except for. changes as may be inherent in the nature of the fluid or effected by deliberate treatment thereof;

In the drawings illustrating by way of example one embodiment of means of the invention and whereby the methods thereof may be practiced:

. Fig. l.shows in elevation a collection and storage unit or assembly including a typical con:- tainer; I

Fig, 2 is a vertical section, upon a larger scale, through the closure and inlet-outlet mechanism as at the upper portion of Fig. 1, the valve being closed;

2 Fig. 10- is aperspective view of the valve proper. Referring first to Fig. 1, the apparatus as a whole as there illustrated comprises a container l0 shown as a flask, jar or the like, having a neck and mouth ll equipped with closure means adapted for hermetic sealing. The container closure as illustrated comprises a rubber or other resilient bushing l2 centrally apertured at l3 and having an integral skirt I4 for turning down. into gripping relation to the outer Wall of the neck ll, below a bead l I at its upper end. Cooperat mg with the bushing is a metal or other stopper indicatedgenerally at [5 having a central stem 16 with an external venting'channel l6 and a cap portion ll shaped and proportioned substantially as illustratedto seat on and enclose the bushing and its downturned skirt. These container and closure. elements as illustrated are of the type disclosed and. claimed in' 'Walter Patents Nos. 2,116,132 and 2,228,936, these being especially suitedto theprcsent purposes. In various of its Fig. 3 is a top plan of the valve assembly as in -Figs. 4 and 5 are opposite side elevations of said valve assembly, respectively as if looking from the left and from the right at Figs. 2 and 3;

Fig. 6 is an elevation of the clamp or holder looking from the direction as in Fig. 2 or from the. left in Fig. 5, the valve proper being demounted;

mounted and open; and

aspects, however, the invention is equally applicable to other forms of closable containers.

The steel or other stopper IS in this instance is further provided with a central passage l8 extending through its stem l6 and through a projecting nipple l9, affording communication with the interior of the container l0. 6 The present invention is particularly adapted for use inassociation with an inlet-outlet connection for a container, such as the nipple I9, and comprises novel flow-controlling orvalve mechanism wherebyfluid may be entered into and withdrawn from the otherwisesealed container, without contaminating contact or exposurejof, thefluid.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 2 to 10, the flow-control or valve assembly as awhole comprises a valve unit V, seen in section in Figs.

2 and 8 and separately in Fig. 10 and a clampor holder C in which the valve unit is removabl positioned.

Noting particularly Figs; .2, 5, 8 and 10 and considering, first the valve unit V, this is an integral one-piece device molded, cast or otherwise formed of a resilient and compressible material such as natural or synthetic. rubber or a rubber-like composition. In practice we have employed for the purpose gum rubber and compositions having similar general properties, as to elasticity, heat resistance and others. This valve unit or device V includes a generally tubular and cylindrical body 20, adapted. for mounting on a tubular connection as herein represented by the nipple IQ of the cap l5. At one end of the body is a solid disk-like flanged head 2|. Within the valve body and opening at its other end is a nipple-seating longitudinal passage 22 leading to a valve chamber 23 having a lateral generally cylindrical wall 24 provided with a lateral port 24a at the inner end of an integral tubular connector piece 25 having a throughpassage 25a leading from the port 2401.. The outer ber 26 providing a closed but flexible end or top wall for the valve chamber 23. At the inner face of this top wall 26, centrally of the valve chamber 23 and axially opposite the inner end of It comthe passage 22 is the valve proper 21. prises a tapered valve plug or disc, of the same material as the device as a whole and integral with the top wall 23. At the outer face of the top wall 26 and in efiect a continuation of the valve 21 and of said wall is a stem 28 preferably somewhat less in diameter thanthe underlying cylindrical, chamber 23; see particularly Figs. 2 and 8; It is integrally joined with the head 2| at the upper end of the unit. Thus the chamber top wall 25 and the parts 2|, 28 above it serve to support and guide the valve proper 2'1 and also, by reason of the elastic character and diaphragm-like structure, as a yieldable spring opening means therefor.

The valve body 22 desirably has at the end opposite the head 2| a peripheral flange 29 and the adjacent entrance end of the passage 22 may be flared as at 22a, Fig. 8. The inner end of this passage 22 also flares as at 23a and merges into the .valve chamber 23 so as to define, with the nipple i9 inthe illustrated example, a tapered seat for the disc or plug constituting the valve proper'2l. In some instances the tubular connection such as the nipple I9 may terminate below the valve chamber, the valve disc then seating directly onto the self-material of the unit at the upper end of the passage 22. The tubular-portion of the valve body 29 between the end flange 29 and the lateral wall 24 of the valve chamber desirably is of somewhat reduced outside diameter, for cooperation with the clamp or holder now to be described. "Such clamp or holder, designated generally at C,-is of metal or other rigid construction. It includes a yoke-like vertically movable valve support and positioner 39 having horizontal upper and lower arms 3|, 32 connected at one side as at 33 in spaced relation to receive the valvesupporting head 2| between them. The lower arm 32 has a slot 34 leading in'from the side opposite the connection 33 and rounded at the closed end, centrally of the arm 32, for there embracing and positioning the valve stem or neck 28'.

The upper arm 3| of the support element 38 i has a central aperture 35, Figs. 2, 5, 8 and 9, opposite and smaller than the valve head 2| and countersunk at the inner end to seat a presser disc 36. The latter has swiveled supporting connection at 31 at the lower end of a valve-operating or control screw 38,-the projecting end of which is squared or otherwise formed as at 39 to receive a key or other implement for turning it; Figs. 2 to 6 and 9.

The'clamp or holder element C further comprises a clamping and guiding frame serving the multiple purpose of positioning and guiding the valve-support 39, adjustably supporting the valve ,control screw 3839 and the valve-support 353 in effect hung thereon, and clamping the entire valve and frame assembly in operative position with reference to the passage to be controlled, herein the passage lit in the nipple :9 of the stopper l5.

, This frame section of the clamp C comprises 4 ture 4|, see Fig. 3, in which the control screw 38 is engaged; The top :plate 40. has opposed pairs of lateral ears, seen at the top and bottom in Fig. 3 pivotallysupporting a pair of similar but oppositely disposed uprights or side members 43, seen .in closed position in Figs. 4 and 5 and shown open and with the valve unit V removed in Fig. 9. '.'I'hese'uprights 43 provide vertical guides and positioners for the valve slide 38, the adjacent side edges of both arms 3|, 32 of which are'recessed as at 3|a, 32a, Figs. 6 and 9, to receive the uprights in the closed position of Figs. 4 and 5. v

The lower ends of the uprights 43 are formed with cooperative oppositely disposed clamping feet or yoke-like clamp members 44,44, each presenting a half portion of a collar-like enclosure for the basal part of the valve body 20. As best seen in plan in Fig. 7 each-clamping foot 4% has a semi-circular recess 25, respectively in opposed matching relation. Thus the clamping feet 44 when brought together act as jaws adapted to grip and compress the valve body, so securing and sealing'the entire assembly in installed position. Referring particularlyto Figs. 4, 5, '7 and 9, each clamp foot 44 has two abuttive faces 45 and 41, one at each side'of the corresponding upright side member 43. Both faces 46 and 4! of each foot 44 are beveled or formed. at an angle to the axis of the valve, with an opposite inclination at the two sides of the given foot 44. These inclinedfaces 46, 4Tare' reversely arranged on they respective feet '44, the face 45 of one 0pp'osing the face '41, of the other.' Thus the jaw,- like feet in effect break joint, relative toeach other at the two 'm'eetingside portions and meet along oppositely inclined planes at said two sides. Pinching of the valve body 28 is thus obviated, as again noted later herein.

The clamping feet or clamp halves 44 are provided with means for locking them in gripping relation, to. the body of the resilient'valve element V, as in Figs. 1 to 5,7 and 8, with capacity for ready release for removing the assembly from a container or from the closure thereof, and for opening to aposition -as inFig. 9 for demounting the valve unit V from the'clamp C. I Accordingly each clamping foot 44 has a pair of apertures 48 and 49, one at each side, of the half-round recess 45 and herein centrally of the respective inclined faces Stand 4'1, inmatching alignment on the two feet or jaws 44 when the clamp is closed; see particularly Figs. 4, 5 and 7. Retractably mounted in and cooperating with the aligning apertures of the two feet 44 is a pair of clamp screws 50, 50. Each screw 56 is slidable and rotatable in one clamp foot =32- and is threadedly engageable in the opposite foot 44. With the clamp C closed the two screw 58 are projectible across from one to the other of the clamp halves to lock them together.

While both clamp screws 50 may be movably mounted on the same clamp half 44 and threadedly engageable with the other, preferably and as illustrated one screw 50 is carried by one clamp half, when the clamp is open as in Fig. 9, and the other screw 50 remains with the opposite clamp half. As seen in Fig. 9, each clamp screw 5|) includes a reduced shank 5!, a non-round or other operating head 52 atone end and a threaded portion 53 at the other end with an annular shoulder or stop Sibetween the latter and the shank. Accordingly herein thedescribed aperture pairs comprise for each clamp half 44 a nonthreaded aperture 28 and at the other side of the tionl'9 of :the container; ample stop toengag'e the' shoulder 54 of' the particular screw 50; holding" it against accidental. withdraw a1 and possible loss but leaving it free for" axial and rotative movement'in the nonthreaded aper ture l8'.- At the given side of the clampiCas alwhole the aligning aperture 49 of one clamp half is internally threaded for coaction withthe threaded end 53 oi the corresponding clampscrew fill movably held in the non threaded aperture of the opposite clamp half. Hence whenthe. two portions'of the clamp C come together the .twolclamping screws 50' automatically align with thearespec tive threaded receiving apertures 49; and may 'readilybe' turned up into locking positionby a key or other tool appliedto the manipulating screw heads 52.

Assume now that a' valve unit V,.Fig.v 10,'.has been installed inthe clamp unitC', Fig; 9; by laterally entering the valve head: 2 Pbetween the upper and lower arms 3|; 3?; oft theivalvexpost tioner'30 and sliding the valve neck" Z8ninto the open. sierra therefori'n the' lower 'arm'32.;; see particularly Fig. 5. Thehinged uprights or side pieces 43 of the clamp C automatically assume: a loosely enclosing engagement about. the lower part of the valvebod'y lflw Ifdesired' theclamp 'screws'tfl may then be turned up to the extent 'of'a thread or so from one into the'oppositeic'lamp half 44, to keep the parts together pending. use.

When a valve-and-clamp assembly: is' t'o beinstalled on a container-the clamp screws 50 if previously tightened are backedout to: allow the valve body '20 to assume. its normal uncompressed diameterl: The resilient valve unit V may then bethrust' down over the nipple: or like connecthe illustrated exthe: base flange 28.- of thev'alve' seats in sealing relationat the 'top wa'll. H of the? contai'ner stopper. 15 having the connector: nipple [9' thereon; 'Ihelatter herein has ailared' or beaded. outer end 19a; Figs. 2 and 8:, and is of" a length to enter thechamber, 23 of the valve, di-

rectly'opposite-the taper plugor valve; proper '21, in position .to afford a seat'therefor;

The semi-circular recesses 45 of the clamp members-'44 are of somewhatlless diameter than the valve body 28- in the normal free. condition of the -latter.- Accordingly when the clamp screws 59 are turned up to bring. the clamp halves 44*- toward or into mutual contactgthe valvebody is compressively gripped in tight sealing engagement with the, nipple, The enlarged upp'erend 19a of the nipple; Figs; 2 and 8,

then prevents axial displacement of the valve .andclamp assembly. I 7

' As previously noted the ;jawportions of the clamping feet or members 44 have their: meeting' faces 45; 41' in angular relation to a plane containing the-valve axisand at different directions of inclination at the two sides of the clamp 0. Thus the region of approach or actual contact of the opposed faces of the clamp members is.- distributed inboth the circumferen- :tial and the: axial. directions relative to the. re- .1;

silient valve: body 20 I and. herelnoppositelir with respect to the: diametr'ally. opposite; sides thereof: Accordingly: the. angular. beveled-and. ofiset cooperating. faces. #5:, 41:- of; the clamp halveszzfl approach. each other in. non-parallelism to the valve axis. Hence they tend to camp-themed lient material of; the: valve: element. away' from pinched engagement between. theclosing clamp parts afiording minimumi opportunity- 01?- it to be extruded into the decreasing space between the closingnclamp. Consequently the; entire cirrcumference of the valveubodynisscompressively reduced symmetrical-1 1' with: maximum, sealing.

efiiciency. i It willbe-unde'rstood that theilateral outletor 'inlet 'element 25 of the valve unit may berof'any convenient length andv may itself be formedas.

an integral orrother portion of a flexible tubing through which the fluid is to be withdrawn from or admitted to a container such as Ill; Fig.- 1'.. In the example of the drawings the outlet -inieu iece 25' is represented. as of adequate length for: conveni'ent'access andmanipulation when the valve unit V is installed in the'clamp C, permitting a metal, plastic or other connecti'veftube, needle or the like 60, Fig. 2, to be inserted'or removed'without-disturbing other parts. lA' compressible ferrule Bl' F'igs. Za'nd' l0; may'be provided on the lateral outlet inl'et piece '2 5 for grippir'ig 'andfs'eal 'ing 'a'ny inserted connection, and for instantly compress-ively" closing and sealing the-"piece 25 uponfremoval of the connection, so afiordihg auxiliary'closure for thecontainer and valve system:

From the foregoing description in connection with the dravvingsitf is apparent thatthewholly self contained valve and closure ofthe invention, wherein the valve proper'is integral with itssupporting and guiding parts; provides for' handling fluids with minimum opportunity for contaminaion.

The closureand valve means of the invention is particularly useful in blood collection andservicing and in connection with; intravenous injections but-is generallyfapplicablewherever fluid samples are to bepassed toor fiiom a completely closed system out of contact with non-sterile air. The device affords a vacuum-proof seal, again noting in this connection the full' circumferential the integral valve material..- The valve. device as a wholeis completelypackless; s By reason of the rigid frame or clamp-C and the control-screw 38 thevalve is adjustable. and

is operable as a metering device. As noted: in

connection with the lateral port tube lfiwand; the

.ferrule 61 therefor the valve; device provides a plural sea-1', the-attaching tube 25 adapted to be; squeeze d tightly closed as the; needle: or other 1115611) is d sconnected; While in most instances this may beaccomplished by hand, a. pliers may be provided for the purpose; incorporated: if desired with the same tool such as a key'or wrench for manipulating the valve control screw.38. and the clamp screws 50. One such combined. implement T is shown at the upper .iright. in Fig.1 and. 1S- comprised, in the apparatus: asia whole.

steam in the container Whilethe control screw 38 and also the clamp screws 50 may'have manipulating finger pieces, their construction and arrangement for tool operation as by a key, wrench or the like T, whether external or of the Allen or socket type, obviates tampering.

The rubber or rubberous valve unit V, such as shown separately in Fig. 10, is expendable, in thesense that it may economically be used but once and then discarded, doing away with all problems. of sterilization for reuse. The simple integralstructure of the valve and the inexpensive .material appropriate, therefor make for such expendability. As stated, by reason of the vacuum-proof, and vacuum-operative character of'the valve it is especiallyadapted ,for collecting blood from donors into a sealed and evacuated container forming part of a completely closed system. in which the valve. is incorporated.

In such instance, as represented in Fig. lthe needle being a simple one-piecememberof rel a .tively inexpensive character such that it together with thetubing 65 and the, rubber valve unit V areeXpendableiand may appropriately be discarded after-a single use. Fresh unused tubing 65 isassumed to be supplied insterile internal condition and the sterilized needle 66 is stored in mounted sterile condition as by insertion through a plug of sterile cotton 61 Within a test tube 68.. 7

Thus it is evident that the apparatus of Fig. l and the others constitutes a completely closed system, the container l adapted to be at least partially evacuated to present a negative pres,- sure condition therein. With such apparatus at hand, in the, collecting of blood, it is necessary for theoperator merely to withdraw the needle from the protecting test tube 58 and immediately insert it into the donor in a single operation. By reason of the completely closed and vacuumsubject system a distinctly smaller needlemay be used, since the negative pressure condition in the container permits the blood to bei forced thereto through the relatively small lumen by the normal body pressure of the donor. In this connection it is noted that clean unused needle, tubing and valve members maybe assembled to a container containing at least 1% of its volume of liquid. The assembly is sterilized preferably'at 121 C forminutes with the valve-open to permit escape of air and steam. After the sterilizer has cooled to say 100 C. at atmospheric pressure the valve is closed, effecting an hermetic seal. Condensation of the creates a vacuum. such as referred to.

It is further evident that the invention comprises in the closed system fluid transfer apparatus avalve and connector unit such as V which is a one-piece and preferably expendable rubberousbody defining a valve chamber as at 23, angularly related passages 22 and 25a communicating with the chamber, a self-contained valve proper 21 internally self-carried on the chamber nippleor other rigid tube I 9, and means including the head 2| for oppositelyapplying force effective to close or to openthe valve adjustably. The unit .V as a ,whole is an integral mass. In use itis .operatively associated with. a holding and manipulating clamp such as the element C, formingwith it a valvular coupling and flowcontrolling assembly. When provided 1 in the tool-operated form of the drawings, 'making tampering dii'ficult, the. apparatus of the system desirably includes at least one instrument such as, illustrated by way of example at T- in Fig. 1, it being understood-that one or more such tools are to be, supplied to the authorized person or persons, a given tool generally being universally applicable to any desired number of the clamp and valve. assemblies for a like number of containers l0...

It will be apparent that the closed system for fluid transfer and the apparatus therefor as herein disclosed is equally applicable for controlled flow of the fluid in either direction. That is, the fluid may be collected into the container such as ill from a supply, with complete avoidance of' contact with non-sterile outside atmosphere, orit may be dispensed from the sealed supply in the. container. An instance of collection is that of blood from a donor, as'previously described. In such instance, and in the numerous other uses, the container may be partially evacuated or. at sub-atmospheric pressure internally. Inthe reverse use of the apparatus,

for dispensing from" the container or otherwise transferring content therefrom,

. ,valve and coupling unit ofresilientmaterialhaving inlet and outlet passages, one passage en gageable externally over and in sealed communication with the nippleand'the other adapted for tubing connection, the valve and coupling unit further including a self-contained valve to close 01f and variably to open the passagesinteriorly of the unit, a clamp demountably assembled with the valve, and coupling unit and carrying adjustable valve-operating means, and manipulating means fnr the clamp and valve assembly, the valve and coupling unit being expendable and replaceable by a like fresh unit in the clamp. 2. For controlling fluid transfer, in combination,'a rubberous valved coupling having a body with a'through passage and an integral internal valve therefor, and a rigid clamp comprising opposed pivoted clamp members to embrace the rubberous body, a carrier plate to which said members are pivoted, means to lock themembers 'in clamping relation, and threaded manipulating means on the plate for operating the'valve.

3. A holding and manipulating clamp for a resilientrubberous valved coupling, the clamp comprising a carrie'rplate, opposed clamp members pivotedon the plate and having clamping portionsto embrace the coupling, threaded'operating means to clamp and to release the clamp members, a valve-operatin member movably guided by the clamp members between the car'- 'rier' plate and the clamping portions of said members, and a manipulating element movably extending through the plate for controlling the operating member on movement in one and the opposite directions.

4. A holding and manipulating clamp for a resilient rubberous valve and connector unit, the

clamp comprising a carrier plate, a pair of' pendant opposed clamp members pivoted on the plate and having clamping portions to embrace one end of the unit, threaded operating means to clamp and to release the clamp members, a unit-supporting member movably guided by the clamp members between the carrier plate and the clamping portions, and a manipulating screw threaded through the plate and slidably and rotatively engaged with the supporting members for applying valve-closing force on screwin in one direction and valve-retracting force through the supporting member on screwing in the other direction.

5.A valve and connector clamp according to claim 4 wherein the threaded clamp-operating means and the manipulating screw are terminally provided with instrument engaging formations, together with instrumental means for manipulative connection at the engaging formations.

6. A tubing coupler, valve and operating assembly comprising an integral rubberous body having a through passage defined by an enclosing wall incorporating a valve seat between opposite ends of the passage, the body also having a valve proper movable to and from passageclosing position at the seat, and a demountable clamp for mounting said body with one end of the passage wall seated on a relatively rigid tubular connection, said clamp including opposed pivotally interconnected clamp halves presenting jaws havin mating arcuate formations to enclose and compressively seal the seated passage end of the body to the tubular connection, means for releasably locking the jaws in such sealing relation, and operating means movably carried by the clamp and engaging an intermediate portion of the rubberous body to effect movement of the valve proper to and from passage-closing position.

7. An assembly according to claim 6 in which the jaws have mutually abuttive faces at opposite sides of the respective arcuate formations, the faces being disposed at an angle to the axis of the jaw-enclosed passage wall.

8. An assembly according to claim 6 in which the jaws have mutually :abuttive faces at opposite sides of the respective arcuate formations, the faces being disposed at an angle to the axis of the jaw-enclosed passage wall and also being oppositely angularly inclined at the opposite sides of the respective jaws, whereby symmetrical compressive sealing reduction of the enclosed passage-defining body wall is facilitated.

9. For fluid transfer systems, an integral onepiece valve and coupling unit comprising a resilient rubberous body having a through passage with tubular connective inlet and outlet terminals, an intermediate portion of the passage defining a valve seat, and a valve proper of self- 10 minal about a relatively rigid tubular connection, and having adjustable operating means for applying and releasing valve-operating force to the rubberous body. 7

10. The combination according to claim 9 wherein the rubberous [body and. the operating means of the clamp are relatively constructed and arranged to impose closing force in one direction and to release and apply opening force in the opposite direction relative to the valve.

11. An expendable conjoint coupling and valve unit for closed fluid transfer systems comprising a resilient-walled body enclosing a central chamber havin communicating passages for through closed conduct of fluid in one and the opposite directions alternatively, the juncture of one passage with said chamber defining a valve seat, a self-contained valve plug internally carried on the chamber wall opposite the seat, and a valve-operating stem externally carried on said wall and undercut for push-pull engagement by demountable manipulating means, said unit as a Whole comprising an integral molded one-piece rubberous mass.

12. An hermetic sealing inlet-outlet tubing connection for containers comprising in combination a centrally apertured resilient bushing having a reducing portion receivable in the container mouth and an integral skirt for turning down into gripping relation to the outer wall of a container neck, a hollow nipple-forming stem snugly received in the bushing aperture and extending inwardly-outwardly thereof, said stem formed in the inwardly extending portion with an external venting channel and in the outwardly extending nipple-forming portion with a circumferential recess adapting it for clamped sealed coupling to a fluid conductor, and a flanged cap received over said stem and seated on and enclosing said bushing and its downturned skirt.

13. An hermetic sealing tubing connection for containerscomprising a hollow nipple-forming stem having at the inner end an axial venting channel, and at the outer end a circumferential formation adapting it for tight sealing engagement with a fluid conductor, and a substantially flat cap fixed on an intermediate portion of said stem and having a downturned peripheral flange, said intermediate stem portion and said peripheral cap portion shaped and proportioned for sealing engagement with inner and outer wallembracing portions of a resilient container-neckseated bushing with which the connection is designed to be used.

WILFRED J. TURENNE. CARL W. WALTER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 549,678 Miller Nov. 12, 1895 1,475,810 Frisz Nov. 27, 1923 1,602,047 Schultheis Oct. 5, 1926 2,056,113 Saunders Sept. 29, 1936 2,099,841 Connell Nov. 23, 1937 2,116,132 Walter May 3, 1938 2,228,936 Walter Jan. 14, 1941 2,309,302 Butler Jan. 26, 1943 2,314,167 Shaw Mar. 16, 1943 2,343,584 Scheele Mar. 7, 1944 

